Structural Engineering Experience
Aurora Engineering LLC was formed in 2011 to offer structural engineering designs that are often overlooked by other engineers. Better designs are provided by understanding construction methods, materials, and consideration for the people reading the drawings.
We believe in integrity, working hard, providing exceptional customer service, and learning from every project. This knowledge is then passed on in a way that makes sense to our clients.
Building Experience
From the crew “gofer” at Tom’s first job, he became a rough framer. Tom was then able to see the results as a finish carpenter and everything in between. To this day, he still enjoys the challenge of building a set of stairs. Stairs seem like something that should be straightforward, but they always prove to be more complex.
Most of the design elements we use are a new twist on things that have been done in the past. It is our philosophy to always improve each design to be easier and more cost effective to build than the last time something similar was built.
With first hand experience, we recognize that reading structural drawings and reports can be challenging. Too often we see drawings that are too complicated. Simplicity in construction is the key to a successful project.
Always Continue to Learn
Before college, Tom had the chance to be an assistant manager at a lumber yard. Understanding the different types of wood, construction materials, and customer service proved to be critical as an engineer.
He also got my first taste of “value engineering” when he started his first business. Only when you are buying your own materials do you see how much wasted material really costs.
Structural Engineering
After becoming an engineer, Tom worked in research and development at one of the nation’s largest homebuilders. He starting as an engineer designing structurally insulated panels (SIPs). Then moved onto precast foundation walls and floor truss systems. After that, he was promoted to the engineering and quality manager at a state-of-the-art facility on the East Coast.
In order to get back to family in the Midwest, Tom became a professional engineer at a block retaining wall company. Who knew that the “Silicon Valley of Retaining Walls” was Minneapolis? One of his primary jobs was training other engineers on how to design with software that he helped to create.
Finding Passion
Today, Tom’s passion for residential construction can be seen in the solutions provided by Aurora Engineering. The experience in framing and construction materials has proven to be a critical asset. We understand how things were built in the past and then meld it with today’s engineering principles. This helps to give a grounded approach to structural design.
Being able to visualize the “how” and the “why” together is not a gift that everyone in the industry has. This concept has lead to a different way of engineering that is more cost effective, easier to build, and leads to fewer mistakes during construction.
Structural Engineering Design Optimization
Being the Engineer of Record for well over 50,000 homes the nation’s largest homebuilders is challenging. Tom believes that structural designs should have the value engineering built into them. This allows the homes to be constructed faster and material cost is saved by doing so. Our clients benefit because we thinking differently than other engineers. Here are some of the companies that benefit from this type of design concept:
Charity & Non-Profit
Giving back to the community is very important at Aurora Engineering. That is why nearly 10% of what would be billable time is given back to non-profit organizations each year.
Association Memberships
We are proud members of local and national organizations that share common passions.
